EKEDC cautions customers against fake meter agents
- As nabbed impersonator is arraigned in court
Sopuruchi Onwuka
Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) has urged its customers to always engage only official channels in procuring their meters in order to avoid fraudsters masquerading as field executives of the company.
The company also advised its customers against self help by illegally reconnecting themselves to sullpy after disconnection, warning that such activities would attract the full extent of the law as it would no longer take unauthorized and illegal tampering of its distribution facilities lightly.
The public advice came in reaction to cases of fraud in which some unscrupulous elements in the society who pose as workers of the company approach unsuspecting customers with dishonest promises of securing them service meters at negotiated costs.
Some stubborn customers, according to the company, willfully reconnect their facilities and homes to distribution lines after they have been duly disconnected due to verified commercial infractions.
To avoid paying individuals and unauthorized agents for its services, EKEDC advises that all payments should be made directly through the official and approved channels made available in the public domain.
The company said the call came on the back of the arraignment of one Mufutau Olohunkemi Bello who under the guise of being an EKEDC staff defrauded a customer within the Ojo Business District to the tune of N760,375 for the purchase of seven (7) prepaid meters.
The company stated that Mufutau was apprehended by the men of the Onireke Police Station and arraigned on a three-count charge of impersonation, obtaining money under false pretence and stealing all under the Criminal Laws of Lagos State.
In a statement made available to the media in Lagos, the General Manager, Corporate Communications of EKEDC, Babatunde Lasaki, described the matter as criminal and unfortunate during these challenging economic times.
He advised customers to desist from seeking help from individuals and unauthorized agents to avoid being defrauded.
He said “I would like to appeal to our customers to go through our official and approved channels to pay their bills and payment for meters. If there is any clarification they need from us, they can call our customer service lines, reach us through our social media platforms or physically visit any of our office locations. We are available to answer all their enquiries and assist with their needs. Also, there should not be any gratification of any form to our staff as we are all on the payroll of the company to serve and support them.”
Similarly, one Ifeanyi Enekwunchi has been arraigned before the Hon. (Mrs.) A. O. Akokhia’s Magistrate Court 1, Iba on a three-count charge of conspiracy to tamper with electric wires belonging to EKEDC, conduct likely to cause breach of peace and willful and unlawful interference with electric wires by illegal reconnection after being disconnected due to nonpayment.
He said that customers should utilize all the available mechanisms to seek amicable solutions to their issues instead of resorting to self-help.
Lasaki advised customers to report any suspected cases of illegalities anonymously or otherwise to relevant units of the company through dedicated emails and phone numbers.
“You can also report to any of our offices or a nearby Police Station,” he said.
